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Kerala Faces Alarming Rise in Elephant Deaths
Context:
Kerala’s elephant population is under threat, with a staggering 845 deaths recorded between 2015 and 2023.
A recent elephant population estimation report reveals a worrying trend: the death rate is rising, with younger elephants particularly vulnerable.
Key Highlights:
- Youngest Most Vulnerable: Calves under 10 years old face the highest mortality risk (40%) due to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses (EEHV-HD).
- A study in Sri Lanka indicated that calves in larger herds have better survival rates due to shared immunity. Exposure to various strains within larger herds helps calves develop antibodies to combat EEHV-HD.
- Habitat restoration and preventing herd fragmentation are crucial to prevent disease from becoming a major threat.
- Shrinking habitats, exacerbated by climate change, increase elephant vulnerability.
- Multiple Threats: Declining population size, high temperatures, invasive plant competition, and disease susceptibility threaten elephants.
- Human Activities Impact Distribution: Land-use changes, water balance fluctuations, and human disturbances affect elephant distribution patterns.
- The study recommends adopting a framework like Tamil Nadu’s EDAF for investigating elephant deaths and implementing effective conservation measures.
About (EEHV-HD)
- EEHV is short for Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus.
- The virus damages the inside lining of blood vessels, which is called endothelium.
- It is a herpesvirus that infects only elephants. Other animals and people do not become infected or ill from EEHV.
- It can cause rapid, often fatal disease, which is called EEHV Hemorrhagic Disease, in elephants that lack adequate immunity to the virus.
- The Disease occurs in African elephants under 15 years of age and Asian elephants under 10 years of age.
- It is the single largest cause of death in young elephants in North America, Europe, and Thailand.
- Detection and Treatment: Early detection through changes in white blood cells and high EEHV virus levels in blood is crucial.
- Treatment includes antiviral medication and supportive care (fluids, transfusions, vitamins, immune modulators).
- Preparedness: Institutions require trained staff, trained elephants, and necessary supplies for treatment. Different EEHV strains affect Asian (EEHV1, EEHV4, EEHV5) and African (EEHV2, EEHV3, EEHV6, EEHV7) elephants.
- Transmission: Infection is a natural part of elephant biology; most elephants carry EEHV without illness.
- It is naturally transmitted among elephants through their behaviour, not caused by human care or activity.
- It has been detected in elephants worldwide, including in North America, Europe, South Africa, Australia, and Asia.
- Research and Advances: Funded by North American and European zoological institutions. New tools now measure antibody levels to identify high-risk elephants.
- Future Prospects: Vaccine development aims to prevent deaths and reduce illness severity from EEHV. This effort is supported by funding and samples from zoological institutions and donors.
